Executive Director

~ The Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) is an accredited, community-based land conservation organization with a mission to protect the natural resources, rural character, and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands. ~ 

The Hudson Highlands line a fifteen-mile stretch of the Hudson River, and, on a clear day, the towers of New York City are visible from many of the Highlands' majestic peaks. 

Position Overview

The HHLT seeks an Executive Director to
be its leader, organizational spokesperson, and chief fundraiser. The Executive Director is responsible for
ensuring that the organization builds and implements programs that advance its
mission, secures the resources it needs to succeed, and uses the funds it
raises efficiently and effectively.

This postion starts in Spring 2016; and is located in the Garrison, New York area, and will require occasional travel.

Responsibilities 

The Executive Director: 

• Leads
  HHLT’s land conservation, public policy and other programs through direct
  involvement and management of staff of five assigned to these activities;
• Serves as the principal spokesperson for the organization;
• With staff support, serves as the organization’s
  lead fundraiser with foundations, individuals and corporations;
• Works with Board and staff to develop, update,
  and evaluate the organization’s strategic and annual plans;
• Ensures that the organization builds and
  implements land conservation, public policy and other programs that effectively
  advance its mission;
• Builds trusting relationships and works closely
  with landowners, community organizations, government officials, and other
  allies to make progress on common goals;
• Ensures that the organization develops sound
  annual budgets and builds the organization’s financial strength and stability;
• Works with Board and staff to develop and
  implement an annual communications plan;
• Is responsible for hiring, supervising and
  evaluating staff;
• Acts as Board liaison, informing and supporting
  the Board as needed and working closely with the Board Chair; and
• Has overall responsibility for oversight of
  administrative matters and insuring that HHLT operates in accordance with the
  law, highest ethical principles and adheres to all Land Trust Standards and
  Practices. 

Qualitifcations 

Required: 

• A demonstrated passion for the environment;
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in environment or
  science disciplines;
• Proven ability to inspire, motivate,
  communicate, collaborate and manage;
• Significant knowledge of the work of land
  trusts, land conservation and land use planning;
• Proven success in raising funds from
  individuals, government agencies, foundations & corporations leading to
  greater diversity in revenue sources;
• Five or more years’ experience in a senior
  leadership role (program development and implementation, budgeting, management)
  or other relevant experience;
• Strong commitment to a collaborative work style
  with community organizations, local governments, Board, staff and other key
  stakeholders;
• Experience in public policy advocacy, especially
  at the local government level, while maintaining political neutrality; and
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement
  creative solutions and strategies. 

Additional Beneficial Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of, and experience in, the Hudson
  Highlands area of New York;
• MA, MS, MBA or other professional degree;
• Available to participate in frequent evening and
  weekend meetings and activities; and
• Previous experience at a land trust. 

Additional Information

The Highlands are rich in history and of breathtaking beauty, once a favorite subject for the Hudson River School's landscape painting masterpieces. An expanding network of hiking trails snakes through the Highlands' forests, and the many lakes, ponds and streams nurture an ecosystem of astonishing variety.

Long recognized for the role they played in the nation's infancy, today the Hudson Highlands are seen as an immensely significant regional resource: a great place to live, with resurgent towns along an increasingly clean river; a magnet for tourists, hikers and kayakers, with a storied past and a promising future; and a good place to locate a business, with a sound transportation infrastructure, including a reliable commuter railroad.

All these priceless assets lie just an hour from New York City. Due to its high desirability and proximity to a major metropolitan area, the Highlands are severely threatened by suburban sprawl. This is the challenge the HHLT confronts as it looks ahead. 

During its first 26 years, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust directly protected over 2,200 acres of land in the Hudson Highlands through conservation easement donations. Additionally, HHLT played a leading role in the protection of several thousand more acres through partnerships with other regional land conservation organizations and the State of New York. 

While land conservation continues to be the central tenet of the HHLT, we're extremely proud of the great strides made in the areas of public policy, outreach and education. The Land Trust has worked diligently to strengthen ties to the communities in its mission area. Partnerships with local municipalities, schools, community groups, and other conservation organizations have proven to be of enormous benefit to HHLT's land conservation work.

The next few years will be decisive for the landscape and character of the Hudson Highlands. The cost of short-sighted development in our towns and villages would be a bitter legacy to leave to the next generation, and the cost of fragmented habitat and squandered natural resources would be devastating not only for the plants and wildlife directly affected, but for all of us as well. The HHLT will continue to vigilantly preserve this region's special sense of place for the generations that follow.

Click here to learn more about the Hudson Highlands Land Trust. 

Compensation:  Full
time, with competitive salary and benefits based on experience and qualifications. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Here!" to apply for this position. All applications will be
  acknowledged promptly.
• All applicants must supply 3 Work References; please include them in your resume.
• Applications will be accepted until position is filled. 

~ HHLT affords all qualified applicants equal employment opportunity
without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin,
sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic
characteristics, victims of domestic violence status or marital status. ~